From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta & Edo States Correspondent)
The Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu’s statement, claiming the state would become ungovernable if Governor Godwin Obaseki’s victory at the September 2020 election is overturned by the courts as an “irresponsibly orchestrated… blackmail strategy and campaign of calumny.”
The New Diplomat had reported that Shaibu accused the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of plotting to use the courts to circumvent the political will of Edo people.
But reacting to Shaibu’s statement, the APC in a statement signed by Chris Azebamwan, Edo state Publicity Secretary of the party said, “these are weighty issues that go to the very core of the integrity of our judicial institutions.”
“The statement which he credited to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is a blatant falsehood as no such words emanated from the elder statesman. It is a smear campaign that is aimed at tarnishing the pristine image of the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the vain hope it would pit the judiciary against the legal reliefs sought by the APC.”
The party challenged Philip Shaibu to “provide an audio or video clip of the occasion where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is alleged to have made such a statement.”
Adding: “Instead of this puerile and infantile attempt at diverting attention from the substance of the matter in court which centers on forgery and perjury, Philip Shaibu is well advised to address his mind to shoring up their defence.
“Philip Shaibu conveniently lost sight of the fact that the issue in contention borders on forgery and perjury. APC did not go to the Federal High Court to challenge the outcome of the September 2020 election.”
“The Nigerian public is too informed and discerning to be hoodwinked with fake allegations and sensationalism. We totally agree with Philip Shaibu that the Nigerian judiciary ranks amongst the best and most diligent in the world and will not be swayed or distracted by antics such as is being irresponsibly orchestrated by Philip Shaibu,” APC said.
